December 4, 2012

Statement of Bishop Christopher J. Coyne on the tragic deaths in Greensburg, Ind.

On behalf of Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin and the entire Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, I extend heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of Donald Horan and his wife, Barbara Horan, and Stephen Butz and his wife, Denise Butz, who were killed in a plane crash Sunday night near Greensburg. These deaths are particularly painful because the Horans leave behind four girls and the Butzes two boys.

I also wish to express my sorrow to the parishioners of St. Mary Parish in Greensburg where the Horans and Butzes were parishioners. Donald, Barbara, Stephen and Denise were good and faithful Catholics and will be greatly missed.

Donald and Barbara have been very active in serving their parish and the greater archdiocese over the years. In 2010, the Horans were co-chairs of the annual United Catholic Appeal, which raises nearly $5 million each year for ministry needs throughout the archdiocese. They travelled to every corner of the archdiocese to raise funds for ministry needs. Donald also was a member of the board of directors of the Catholic Community Foundation and served as president of the foundation in 2011. The Catholic Community Foundation oversees 407 endowments with nearly $138 million in assets. These funds are used to pay for everything from operating Catholic schools, the good works of Catholic Charities, capital improvement projects at parishes to educating seminarians. Donald also played a key role in raising the money to build a new Catholic grade school for St. Mary Parish.

I ask everyone to please keep the Horans and Butzes in their thoughts and prayers.”

 

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